Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui has ordered immediate re-construction of boundary wall around Keamari Oil Terminal and removal of junkyard raised near the installation itself.
Chairing a meeting with officials of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and city administration, he said protection of essential and sensitive installation is a joint responsibility and no compromise can be made in this regard.
Siddiqui said the emerging situation in face of growing threat of terrorism makes it necessary to adopt zero tolerance towards any negligence or complacency. He said broken portion of the boundary wall around Keamari Oil Terminal with concrete structures built around it by encroachers are a serious threat that could not be ignored.
Oil terminals and sea ports are crucial for any country’s economy and these under all conditions have to be kept cordoned off, reiterated the commissioner. He said while security of these premises is the responsibility of the security department of Karachi Port Trust, however, any encroachment outside port premises, adjacent to it can also not be allowed.
The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner (One) Aslam Khoso, Deputy Commissioner – South, Mustafa Jamal Kazi, Chief SecurityOfficer, KPT, Baseer Alam, Representative of DIG – Police South (SDPO Kaemari) Rustam Nawaz and others.
KPT officials told the meeting that both east and west wharves are largely secured and that their land management department has also retrieved 70 percent of the land encroached by a strong mafia.
They mentioned that during the exercise KPT managed to demolish more than 250 concrete structures.
Karachi Commissioner on the occasion also drew their attention towards illegal pruning of mangrove forest and its destruction due to indifference of concerned stakeholders.
